Pens Move Closer to Altlantic Title and Other Thoughts

-If it's important to get Sid back to work on the chemistry with Hossa and his other linemate, isn't is as important to get the defense pairings and rotation set for the playoffs? I think it is and have to wonder why Whitney is playing the wing. Is Therrien planning on using him there in the playoffs? I doubt that, this seems like a temporary thing. But not only is Whitney on the wing not allowing all 4 lines to play together, the defense and the individual roles will continue to be jumbled until Whitney returns to defense.

-I think Whitney should have been scratched the last couple of games, not playing wing. Last night he didn't even play on the PP. Scratch him for a couple of games then get him back on D. Therrien says he didn't scratch him because "we believe he's an important part of our team". How is playing him on the wing sending that message?

-Are the Pens ever destined to play a full game with Sid and Hossa together? Something strange is going on with all the injuries these two have suffered.

-Sid and Geno must be split up on the PP. Geno looked uncomfortable at the point and on the left boards and they passed the puck too often last night. Lack of a righty shot is a factor no matter what, but putting Geno on either the point or the left boards takes away his playmaking options. I've said it before, the units should be: Malkin, Malone, Sykora with Gonchar and Letang on one and Sid, Hossa, Staal with Whitney and Sydor on the other.

-Pens are now 6 pts up on both the Rangers and Devils, who both have a game in hand. Barring a Ranger sweep of the Pens (in regulation) in the upcoming home and home, the Pens will win the Atlantic. Which means they will be the #1 or 2 seed. Which means they will play either the #7 or 8 seed. And that increasingly looks like it would be Boston, Philly or The Caps. Obviously I'd love to see them play the Caps, but considering how close things are, those last two games vs Philly are going to be very interesting: Flyers will need to win to get in the playoffs but statements will be made by both teams in case they match up in round 1. Expect to see a lot of Georgie Laraque.

-Some nutjob compares the NY Giants to the 74 Steelers because of the number of rookies each had and suggests the Giants are similar. At least he comes to his senses by the end and backs down to where he thinks: "THE GIANTS PROJECT TO BE EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE THE NEXT ~3 YEARS." I'll allow that, but calm down on any comparisons to the Greatest Team in NFL History.